The Indian rowing team that would take part in the upcoming Asian Games left for Hangzhou, China on Wednesday, September 6.
The team consists of 43 members (20 men and 13 women), including medal winners from the Asian Games as part of the coaching staff, demonstrating how former medal-winning rowers are contributing to their sport. With 13 women as part of the contingent, this is the largest contingent of female rowers traveling to the Asian Games. It is important to note that this is the first time the Women’s Eight event has been included in the Asian Games and India is fielding a team for the event.
In an added twist, they would train at a government-funded international training camp (to the tune of Rs 1 crore) in Hangzhou for a week before heading to the Asian Games village on September 16, allowing them to acclimatise well before the start of the competition. .
The contingent received a rousing send-off from Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials in Mumbai before departing for China.
Earlier this week, the Indian sailors and first group of boxers also departed for China to train ahead of the multi-sport event. While Indian boxers train in the city of Wuyishan, Indian sailors train in the Ningbo Xiangshan Sailing Center, which is also where the Asian Games sailing competitions will be held.
****
PPG/SK
